In an all-party meeting at Singha Durbar, Bhattarai also stated that the process of releasing those opting for voluntary retirement will begin from Friday and sought to quell the doubts among leaders about the completion of the peace process. [break]
“I have already directed the NA to make preparations for the integration of the combatants and the integration process will begin soon,” a participant quoted Bhattarai as saying during the meeting.
The officials of the secretariat of the Special Committee have already left for the cantonments to begin the process of releasing the combatants who have opted for voluntary retirement that is expected to complete in two weeks.
Stating that the peace process can hit a roadblock if any major party so wishes, the prime minister urged all the parties to cooperate to complete the peace process and constitution drafting.
He also told the leaders that the government is ready to withdraw the cabinet decision about legalizing the land transaction done under the arbitration of the Maoists, if they are ready to agree on some alternative arrangements.
During the meeting that was chaired by Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Speaker Subas Nembang reminded the leaders that the meeting was called in view of the approaching deadline for constitution drafting and urged them to cooperate.
UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and Nepali Congress (NC) President Sushil Koirala, among others, were present at the meeting.
Koirala had demanded that the Maoists implement the past agreements on the peace process.
“If the peace process is not completed in time it will affect the task of constitution drafting as well,” a leader quoted Koirala as saying. He asked Prime Minister Bhattarai to immediately withdraw the land transaction decision.
Similarly, Khanal accused the major parties of not focusing on the peace process, and urged the Maoists to implement the past agreements.
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